I would often see “collecting stamps” as a common hobby written in autograph books (if you know what that is) at an early age of five. I didn’t know what it was back then and I was curious about it. Just in case you also have no idea and is curious about an autograph book, it is a booklet supposedly to be filled out by the owner’s friends. Each friend is to fill out 3 parts: (1) personal information (e.g. favorite color, motto, hobby), (2) “Affairs of the Heart” (e.g. Who is your crush, When and where did you meet, etc), and (3) dedication. There you go. 🙂

Philately (noun) is the study or collection of postage stamps. Without knowing yet the term for collection of postage stamps, I started collecting stamps at the age of ten. I had a few pen pals from other countries and we exchanged letters for some time. My hobby stopped when I was in High School. The passion to collect stamps was rekindled once again a few months ago. And even at this age of mobile phones and the internet, I have pen friends again from other countries. Only a fellow snail mail fan may actually feel the zeal that I feel every time I have a personal letter in my mail box.

I took advantage of my non-holiday vacation leave to visit the main post office in Iloilo City, Philippines. It was actually my first time to really go to the post office for the purpose of buying stamps for collection. The stamps the I had before were gifts and from the letters I received.

Here were the stamps I got:

1. Oath Taking of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte – I’m not a Duterte fanatic. But I bought the stamp for historical reason.

2. The visit of Pope John Paul II in Iloilo CIty in February 20, 1981 – I simply love Pope John Paull II.

3. National Teacher’s Month stamp – I owe what I am now to my teachers. My parents are both teachers. My teachers have a special place in my heart and I have high regard to them.

4. Philippine National Bank at 100 years – I am not a client of PNB, but again I bought this for historical reason.

As I venture further in the world of Philately, I learned that collecting stamps is not as simple as it is.